Mother 3
↘ 29%
Homebrew (GameBoy Advance - US, RPG)
![Mother 3 [Homebrew] box art for GameBoy Advance](https://media.retro.gold/moby_img/Nintendo_-_Game_Boy_Advance/Named_Boxarts/Mother 3 [Homebrew]_Front_Cover.jpg)
![Mother 3 [Homebrew] screenshot 3 for GameBoy Advance](https://media.retro.gold/Nintendo_-_Game_Boy_Advance/Named_Snaps/Mother 3 (Japan).png)
![Mother 3 [Homebrew] title screen for GameBoy Advance](https://media.retro.gold/Nintendo_-_Game_Boy_Advance/Named_Titles/Mother 3 (Japan).png)
Complete
$73.26
Loose $19.91
Developed by:
HAL Laboratory Inc.
Published by:
Nintendo
Released On:
20 Apr 2006
The Nowhere Islands are an idyllic place; the residents of Emperor's Mother 3 Village live peacefully and in harmony with nature and with each other. But this changes when the mysterious Pigmask Army arrives and proceeds to destroy and corrupt, with force and sly persuasion alike. The main character is Lucas, a young boy who must find out who wants to destroy the tranquility of Nowhere Islands and turn them into a high-tech nightmare.
Emperor's Mother 3 is an RPG. The player character (the characters controlled by the player change often) travels around the Nowhere Islands with his party, talking to people and furthering the plot. It is possible to "dash", which not only allows the player to travel faster, but also allows them to knock weaker enemies out of the way (or to ram some objects/characters). There are many enemies to battle in the game. The battles are turn-based; each turn, a character can attack with his weapon, use a special ability (some characters have powerful psychic abilities, others have different special skills), use an item or try to run away.
The battles feature a musical combo system, where tapping a button in rhythm with the background music will cause additional damage to the enemy. The characters have "rolling HP meters"; when they are dealt damage, they don't lose all the HP right away, but their HP decreases slowly; this way, even if a character receives massive damage, he can survive with only minor injuries if you manage to end the combat quickly.
Winning battles gives the characters experience (and thus makes them stronger) and, later in the game, money (known as "DP"), which can be used in shops to buy better equipment or useful objects. There are many frogs encountered throughout the game, who serve as save points (and later as ATM machines). If all characters die during a battle, you can come back to life near the latest save point encountered and try again.
EAN-13:
4902370512991 (Japan)
EAN-13:
4902370513622 (Japan)
eBay Product ID:
56264239 (Japan)
eBay Product ID:
56283089 (Japan)
Nintendo Media PN:
AGB-A3UJ-JPN (Japan)
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Number of Players Supported:
1 Player
Miscellaneous Attributes:
Battery Backed RAM
Prices as of 09 Oct 2026
Typical $73.18–$80.00 (last 90 days)
New
Complete
Loose
Box
Manual
Smoothed
Log · Auto
Medians
Market activity: active · about 115 sales a year
Activity is a 12-month sales count. Dashed segments rest on two sales a year or fewer.
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
Set in a deceptively peaceful rural landscape, this narrative RPG begins with two twin boys enjoying a final leisurely visit to their grandfather's home before returning to their village. The serene atmosphere is shattered when the boys suddenly vanish into the twilight sky while walking through the forest, initiating a mysterious journey. As the story unfolds, the protagonist must unravel the truth behind this terrible event and the secrets shrouded in mystery surrounding their disappearance.
Story
WELCOME TO MOTHER3 WORLD
Welcome to the world of MOTHER 3!
In a very leisurely, beautiful landscape, a humble mountain hut stands. It is the home of the protagonist boy's grandfather. The twin boys, who had gone to visit their grandfather's house with their mother, are supposed to return to Tatsumai Village, where their father is waiting, by today.
They play using the powers of clones with a big, easygoing animal dragon, or taste their mother's home cooking while gathered around the dining table. The lovely time passes by in the blink of an eye.
Passing through their usual forest, all that's left is to go home. They had not the slightest bit of strange realization. It was when they had passed along a letter saying "We'll be home soon" that they took flight into the twilight sky.
Whether this is somewhere in the world, what era it is, or perhaps even a terrible great rampage... With everything shrouded in mystery, this story begins.
How to Play
Safety Warnings
Please read this Instruction Manual carefully before use and keep it in a safe place.
•
Open the packaging before use. Do not place torn packaging near small children.
•
Take breaks during long periods of play to prevent health deterioration. Take a 5-15 minute break every hour.
•
Stop playing and consult a doctor if you feel dizzy, experience flashing lights, or have abnormal sensations.
•
Stop playing immediately if you experience dizziness, nausea, seizures, severe headaches, or hand/arm abnormalities.
•
Long-term use of stereo headphones may cause hearing loss. Consult a doctor if you feel abnormal symptoms.
Equipment Handling
•
Do not bend power cords forcefully or use in prohibited locations to prevent overheating or fire.
•
The cartridge is made of plastic and metal. Keep it away from high humidity, dust, oil, or high-temperature environments.
•
Do not insert or remove the cartridge while the console power is ON.
•
Do not insert foreign objects into the cartridge or disassemble it. If foreign objects enter, take it to a Nintendo Service Center.
•
Do not touch the cartridge with wet or sweaty hands.
Starting the Game
Insert the "MOTHER 3" cartridge into your console slot. This works with Nintendo DS, DS Lite, Game Boy Micro, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Advance SP, and Game Boy Player (with GameCube).
1. Turn on the console power.
2. On the Title Screen, select "NEW GAME" and press the A button.
3. Enter your character's name using the cursor.
4. Set "Message Speed" and "Window Color," then confirm with "OK."
Saving and Loading
Saving is crucial. Talk to a frog in the field to save your adventure data.
•
Select "Yes" when asked to save.
•
Use the + and - buttons to select a file slot (there are 2 slots).
•
Press A to save data.
To load saved data from a previous playthrough:
•
Select "LOAD" on the Title Screen using + and - buttons.
•
Select the saved file and press A.
•
Choose "Continue Game" to resume.
Data Management
On the load screen, you can delete or copy save data, and adjust message speed and window color.
•
Delete Data: Select "Yes" and press B. If erasing all data, press A + B + X + START on the Title Screen.
•
Transfer Data: Select "Yes" and press B to copy data to another file.
•
Message Speed: Adjust text display speed (Slow/Fast) and confirm with B.
•
Window Color: Change window color and confirm with B.
Sleep Mode
Sleep mode pauses the game without turning off the power, preserving battery life.
•
Activating Sleep: Press START on the field screen. Select "Sleep Icon" (Triangle + B), then select "Yes" (X button) to interrupt.
•
Resuming: Press SELECT + A + B + X simultaneously to resume from sleep.
•
Note: If the power turns off during sleep, the game reverts to the last save. Battery drains if left in sleep mode too long.
Field Interface
Pressing START on the field displays icons in the upper right. Pressing SELECT displays a window at the bottom.
•
Icon Window: Use items, equip weapons, check status, and more. Press A to open the selected icon window.
•
Navigation: Use L/R to switch characters/key icons. Use D-Pad to move goods/equipment. Press A to confirm, B to return.
Goods
•
Using Goods: Select a good, choose "Use," select a character, and confirm.
•
Passing Goods: Select a good, choose "Pass," select a character, and confirm.
•
Key Icon: Dog-type items are automatically stocked in the Key Icon box.
Cleaning with Gadd
1. Select a Gadd and choose "Do it," then "Yes."
2. Assign the cleaning Gadd to the character performing the task.
3. Clean specific parts like Fuse, Potei, Atatame, or Sonota.
4. View stat changes before and after cleaning.
Status Screen
Check character status, including Level, Attack/Defense/Agility stats, Wisdom, Speed, Experience Points, HP/PP values, and equipped Gadd. Pressing A shows the location list.
Battle Basics
Enter battle by contacting a monster on the field.
•
Normal Contact: Equal conditions at battle start.
•
Flanking: Contacting from behind allows a preemptive attack.
•
Ambush: Being contacted from behind results in a preemptive attack by the monster.
Battle Controls
Icons appear at the top of the Battle Screen. Use D-Pad to select actions and confirm with the button.
•
Attack: Attack the monster.
•
Goods: Use items to restore HP or deal damage.
•
Skill/PSI: Use character skills or PSI.
•
Guard: Deflect attacks to reduce damage.
•
Flee: Attempt to run away (may fail).
Pressing the button while selecting Goods, Skills, or PSI shows a description.
Multi-Enemy Battles
Use the button to select specific monsters to attack. The selected monster will glow white.
HP Meter
The HP meter decreases in a drum-like motion. Damage can be recovered if the meter hasn't hit zero. The motion stops if the monster is defeated early.
Game Over
If a
Tips & Maps
Nowhere Islands
A list of locations including Orimon, Death-Na Desert, Teri Forest, Shirogane Mountain, Gomada Volcano, Tatami-ri Village, Murasaki-no Forest, Taneneri Island, and Nowhere Island.
Special Ability
Each character has a unique special ability (tokugi) that produces various effects in battle, such as Fuindo's Furimau (Whirl) which spins to damage all monsters.
Battle Memory
An item called 'Tatakai no Kioku' obtained by adventuring that restores fought monsters and is added to the collection whenever a new monster is unlocked.
Enemies & Characters
Luka
The younger twin.
Claus
The older twin.
Flint
Strong and gentle. A reliable father.
Hinawa
Mommy, whom he loves so much!
Bonnie
A brave and intelligent dog.
ROUDON
A type of Pasun. Charges in forcefully, going "woki." Basic electrical slow attack.
YAKIMO MONSTER
It swallows things with its tongue. It looks like it's just a black pile of stuff, but it's a monster. It still attacks even if you attack it.
ATTOMOKU
At first glance, it looks like a male child's toilet. However, it is weak when attacking people after using the toilet.
MINOR ROBO
Why is it called a Minor Robo? It's a hand for calculation. It requires 64 batteries. The batteries are size AA.
MANUDO YOI-KO
A chick of some Hagatoney. Its parents are very scary, and its appearance is also quite scary.
BUKHIRIMAX
It can do anything, and because it has a habit of thinking about itself, it swallows even its brain or work.
KARACHICHIWULFU
Its frozen teeth are in the karachichi (gums). It is proud that it can hit a rabbit with its own tongue.
SARASARAHARA
If you touch the Rara, it threatens itself. In battle, it makes the opponent act shamelessly.
IDOGOSLIME
Because it's second nature, you can't say it's a good thing in any situation. Please don't mix it with honey.
GEREITTO OBAKE
I am a ghost! Anyway. It seems to just scream like that and run around. There are no tricks.
ONOMATTO
It is flapping its Mantle, bary bary, basaba. If it appears in a building, and then it looks cool.
CARPET MONSTER
Something small is hiding inside your household carpet. After it comes out, it is super large.
Controls
L Button
Talk/Investigate; Character switching in menus, etc.
+ Button
Move; Enemy selection, Icon selection; Cursor movement, Icon selection
SELECT Button
Display HP/PP window; Display guide, strategy, and PS1 explanations
START Button
Display menu including Start icon, etc.
R Button
Open map (when you have a map); Character switching in menus, etc.
A Button
Talk/Investigate; Sound Battle; Confirm item/selection
B Button
Dash; Cancel; Return to the previous screen or window
SELECT button + L button + R button
Release Sleep
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